U.S. patent number 5,988,664 [Application Number 09/056,131] was granted by the patent office on 1999-11-23 for apparatus for towing a disabled truck tractor.
Invention is credited to John C. Hill.
United States Patent |
5,988,664 |
Hill |
November 23, 1999 |
Apparatus for towing a disabled truck tractor
Abstract
A towing apparatus removably attachable to the fifth wheel of a
towing vehicle includes a base member having a coupling fixture for
the fifth wheel, a forward lifting beam pivotably secured to the
base member, and a rear lifting beam pivotably joined to the distal
rear extremity of the forward lifting beam. A hydraulically
activated piston mechanism is interactive between the two beams to
cause the rear lifting beam to swing in a vertical path between a
storage state above the towing vehicle and a rearwardly deployed
state. In operation, the rear lifting beam, in the deployed state,
is joined to the fifth wheel of a disabled tractor vehicle. Further
extension of the piston in the same direction of motion causes the
rear wheels of the disabled vehicle to rise to permit towing.
Inventors: |
Hill; John C. (Moncks Corner,
SC) |
Family
ID: |
46254024 |
Appl.
No.: |
09/056,131 |
Filed: |
April 7, 1998 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
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Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
Issue Date |
|
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576757 |
Dec 21, 1995 |
5845920 |
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Current U.S.
Class: |
280/402;
414/563 |
Current CPC
Class: |
B62D
53/0828 (20130101); B60P 3/125 (20130101) |
Current International
Class: |
B62D
53/08 (20060101); B62D 53/00 (20060101); B60P
3/12 (20060101); B60P 003/06 () |
Field of
Search: |
;280/402,492,493
;414/563,642,665,667,917 |
References Cited
[Referenced By]
U.S. Patent Documents
Primary Examiner: Hurley; Kevin
Attorney, Agent or Firm: Rainer; Norman B.
Parent Case Text
RELATED APPLICATIONS
This application is a continuation-in-part of U.S. patent
application Ser. No. 08/576,757, filed Dec. 21, 1995 U.S. Pat. No.
5,845,920.
Claims
Having thus described my invention, what is claimed is:
1. Towing apparatus removably attachable to the fifth wheel of a
towing vehicle, said apparatus comprising:
a) a base member having a floor plate bounded by front and rear
extremities, paired upwardly directed side plates, and paired
securing plates extending rearwardly from said rear extremity and
equipped with first pivot means,
b) a first coupling fixture downwardly directed from said floor
plate,
c) a forward lifting beam elongated between proximal and distal
extremities, said proximal extremity being pivotably engaged by
said first pivot means,
d) a rear lifting beam elongated between first and second
extremities, and bounded by upper and lower surfaces, said first
extremity being joined by second pivot means to the distal
extremity of said forward lifting beam, and said lower surface
having adjacent said second extremity a downwardly directed second
coupling fixture,
e) a leverage post upwardly directed from the upper surface of said
rear lifting beam, terminating in an upper extremity, and
f) hydraulically activated piston means interactive between a third
pivot means associated with said forward lifting beam and a fourth
pivot means associated with the upper extremity of said leverage
post, said interaction being of a nature to produce powered pivotal
movement of said rear lifting beam in a vertical plane between
stored and deployed states.
2. The apparatus of claim 1 further provided with a hydraulic pump
for servicing said hydraulically activated piston means, said pump
being housed within said base member.
3. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein the nature of the engagement of
said forward lifting beam with said first pivot means is such as to
enable said beam to be upwardly raised at angles up to about 30
degrees with respect to said base member.
4. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein said forward lifting beam is of
straight configuration.
5. The apparatus of claim 1 having a centered plane of
symmetry.
6. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein securing apertures are disposed
in said beams at locations which are on a circular arc centered
upon said second pivot means.
7. The apparatus of claim 1 further provided with first embracing
plates attached to said forward lifting beam adjacent said distal
extremity and directed upwardly therefrom.
8. The apparatus of claim 7 wherein said third pivot means is
engaged by said first embracing plates at an elevation above said
forward lifting beam.
9. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein second embracing plates are
secured to said leverage post adjacent the upper extremity
thereof.
10. The apparatus of claim 9 wherein said fourth pivot means are
secured by said second embracing plates.
11. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein the effect of said second
pivot means is to enable said rear lifting beam to swing in a
vertical path between stored and deployed states.
12. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein the distance between said
third and fourth pivot means represents a radius of movement of
said rear lifting beam.
13. The apparatus of claim 12 wherein said third pivot means is
located below said radius line in the stored state of said rear
lifting beam.
Description
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates generally to transporting disabled
vehicles and, more particularly, is concerned with a recovery unit
for hitching a disabled truck tractor to a towing truck tractor in
a manner comparable to normal tractor trailer operations.
2. Description of the Prior Art
In view of the extensive use of truck tractor and trailer rigs in
transporting the bulk of good and freight over the nation's
highways, it is to be expected that tractor breakdown will be a
frequent occurrence. Typically, a disabled tractor has to be
removed from the highway to a service facility in order for repairs
to be made. Removal normally requires towing the disabled tractor
by using a large tow truck specially equipped and dedicated for
that purpose. Such tow trucks are expensive, costing in excess of
$100,000, and entail high operating costs. In many areas of the
country, there are either none available or there may be
considerable delay in obtaining the services of one when a
breakdown occurs.
There has earlier been disclosed the desirability of temporarily
adopting an ordinary truck tractor to perform such towing tasks in
addition to its normal use as part of a tractor and trailer rig.
The objective is to eliminate the need to locate a dedicated tow
truck in order to remove a disabled tractor from the highway to a
service facility. The advantage in being able to use another
tractor is that such tractors are found with much greater frequency
in all parts of the country than are dedicated tow trucks and thus
one would quite likely be quickly and conveniently available where
the need might arise. Representative hoist and towing mechanisms
devised for this purpose are disclosed in U.S. Pat. Nos. 4,047,773
to Parks; U.S. Pat. No. 4,544,175 to Hubert and U.S. Pat. No.
4,708,358 to Gehman, et. al.
The mechanisms disclosed in the aforesaid patents recognize the
advantage of employing the fifth wheels on both the towing and
towed tractors to achieve a secure coupling of the two vehicles.
Such coupling with the fifth wheel has been recognized to impart
pivotal mobility necessary for maneuverability of the coupled
vehicles during travel. However, the mechanisms of the aforesaid
Patents do not readily permit unrestricted pivotal movement at the
fifth wheel of the tow tractor. Unrestricted turning movement of a
typical fifth wheel is achievable only when said wheel is in a
level position, otherwise, binding of rotational movement is
experienced. None of the aforesaid patent disclosures are cognizant
of this important factor. Additionally, any secondary fulcrum or
point of support on the tow tractor other than its fifth wheel
inhibits maneuverability.
Earlier towing devices are difficult to deploy for use, often
involving the need to carefully position beams or assemblies that
may weight as much as 500 pounds. Another requirement of an
effective tow device is compactness of storage upon the towing
vehicle.
Once the towing tractor is coupled to the disabled tractor, it is
necessary to lift the rear portion of the disabled tractor so that
it can be pulled in a rearwardly directed manner, riding only upon
the front wheels. Such lifting is a formidable task because a
tractor may weigh between 15,000 and 20,000 pounds, and a force of
about 8,000 pounds is required to raise the rear end of the tractor
so that only its front wheels ride on the ground. The aforesaid
Gehman, et. al. patent discloses the use of three hydraulic
cylinders within a complex framework system to achieve the lifting
function. The cylinders must be activated alternatively in a
precise order to unfold the unit, and again to lift the tractor.
Most of the lifted weight rests upon a fulcrum located behind the
rearmost wheels of a tandem axle towing tractor. The placement of
excessive weight behind the rear axle or the centerline of tandem
rear axles of the towing tractor is undesirable because it lightens
the load on the front steering axle of the tractor, thereby causing
problems with steering, braking and legal weights per axle. It
should also be noted that, in the aforesaid patents, the towing
vehicle is of comparable size and weight as the disabled tractor.
It would be desirable to utilize a smaller, less expensive towing
vehicle to accomplish the lifting and towing mission.
It is accordingly an object of the present invention to provide
apparatus for enabling a vehicle having a fifth wheel to tow a
disabled tractor vehicle, also having a fifth wheel.
It is another object of this invention to provide apparatus as in
the foregoing object which lifts the rear of said disabled vehicle
for transporting it rearwardly while rolling on its front
wheels.
It is a further object of the present invention to provide
apparatus of the aforesaid nature wherein all the lifted weight of
said disabled vehicle is borne by the fifth wheel of said towing
vehicle.
It is yet another object of this invention to provide apparatus of
the aforesaid nature which couples said towing and disabled
vehicles by way of their fifth wheels.
It is a still further object of the present invention to provide
apparatus of the aforesaid nature which permits jackknifing of said
coupled vehicles in a small turning radius.
It is an additional object of this invention to provide apparatus
of the aforesaid nature of simple construction amenable to easy,
safe operation and low cost manufacture.
These objects and other objects and advantages of the invention
will be apparent from the following description.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
The above and other beneficial objects and advantages are
accomplished in accordance with the present invention by apparatus
removably attachable to the fifth wheel of a towing vehicle, said
apparatus comprising:
a) a base member having a floor plate bounded by front and rear
edges, paired upwardly directed side plates, and paired securing
plates extending rearwardly from said rear edge and equipped with
first pivot means,
b) a first coupling fixture downwardly directed from said floor
plate,
c) a forward straight lifting beam elongated between proximal and
distal extremities, said proximal extremity being pivotably engaged
by said first pivot means,
d) a rear lifting beam elongated between first and second
extremities, and bounded by upper and lower surfaces, said first
extremity being joined by second pivot means to the distal
extremity of said forward lifting beam, and said lower surface
having adjacent said second extremity a downwardly directed second
coupling fixture,
e) a leverage post upwardly directed from the upper surface of said
rear lifting beam, terminating in an upper extremity, and
f) hydraulically activated piston means interactive between a third
pivot means associated with said forward lifting beam and a fourth
pivot means associated with the upper extremity of said leverage
post, said interaction being of a nature to produce powered pivotal
movement of said rear lifting beam in a vertical plane.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWING
For a fuller understanding of the nature and objects of the
invention, reference should be had to the following detailed
description taken in connection with the accompanying drawing
forming a part of this specification and in which similar numerals
of reference indicate corresponding parts in all the figures of the
drawing:
FIG. 1 is a side view of an embodiment of the towing apparatus of
the present invention shown in its storage state in functional
relationship with a towing vehicle.
FIG. 2 is a top view of the apparatus in its completely deployed
state.
FIG. 3 is a side view which illustrates the initial stage of
deployment of the apparatus.
FIG. 4 is a side view of the apparatus in its completely deployed
state during towing.
DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT
Referring to FIGS. 1-4, an embodiment of the towing apparatus 10 of
the present invention is shown mounted in a stored state upon a
fifth wheel 11 disposed above the chassis frame 12 of a towing
tractor vehicle 13.
Towing apparatus 10 is comprised of base member 47 and forward and
rear lifting beams 14 and 15, respectively, said forward lifting
beam being elongated between proximal and distal extremities 16 and
17, respectively.
Base member 47 is comprised of rectangular floor plate 48 bounded
by front and rear extremities in the form of edges 50 and 51,
respectively, and paired upwardly directed side plates 49 which
define with said floor plate a structure having an upwardly opening
U-shaped contour. In alternative embodiments, a top closure plate
may be present, thereby creating a box structure of rectangular
cross-sectional configuration. A transverse plate 62 extends
upwardly from rear edge 51 in joinder with said side plates. Paired
securing plates 63 extend rearwardly from transverse plate 62 in
facing vertical disposition. First pivot means in the form of rod
54 is journaled to plates 63 in horizontal disposition. All the
aforesaid plates are of steel of 1/4 inch to 1/2 inch thickness,
and are joined by welding. A downwardly directed first coupling
fixture in the form of kingpin 22 is attached to floor plate
48.
Beam 14 may be of rectangular box-like steel construction, although
beams having other configurations such as I and H beams may be
employed. Accordingly, the exemplified embodiment of beam 14 may be
further characterized as having upper and lower surfaces 19 and 20,
respectively, and opposed side surfaces 21. Beam 14 may range in
length from about 3 1/2 to 4 1/2 feet. Said side surfaces may range
in width up to 12 inches, as measured orthogonally between said
upper and lower surfaces. Beam 14 is attached at its proximal
extremity 16 to pivot rod 54. The nature of said pivoted engagement
is such as to enable beam 14 to be either axially aligned with said
base member or upwardly raised therefrom at an angle up to about 30
degrees.
Rear lifting beam 15 is elongated between first and second
extremities 23 and 24, respectively, and has upper and lower
surfaces 25 and 26, respectively. Said first extremity is joined by
way of second pivot means in the form of rod 28 to the distal
extremity 17 of said forward lifting beam. In the exemplified
embodiment, said distal extremity is shown to have a bifurcated
configuration which embraces first extremity 23 of said rear
lifting beam for controlled pivotal movement. Such manner of
construction also causes the apparatus to have a centered plane of
symmetry represented by dashed line 29 in FIG. 2. Paired securing
apertures 57 are disposed in beams 14 and 15 at locations which are
on a circular arc centered upon pivot rod 28. A removable lock pin
56 is insertable through apertures 57 to lock both lifting beams in
their completely deployed, working position, as shown in FIG. 4. A
downwardly directed second coupling fixture in the form of kingpin
30 is attached to lower surface 26 adjacent second extremity 24.
Rear lifting beam 15 is preferably longer than beam 14.
A leverage post 58 is upwardly directed from the upper surface of
rear lifting beam 15, terminating in upper extremity 59. A
structurally supporting diagonal beam 60 may be utilized, extending
in joinder between upper extremity 59 and second extremity 24 of
said rear lifting beam.
A hydraulically activated cylinder 31 is mounted at its closed
extremity 32 onto third pivot means in the form of rod 35 secured
within first embracing plates 61 welded to beam 14. It is to be
noted that pivot rod 35 is located above the upper extremity 19 of
beam 14. A piston-driven shaft 34 axially emergent from the
opposite extremity of cylinder 31 extends to joinder with the upper
extremity of post 58 by way of fourth pivot means in the form of
pivot rod 33 secured within second embracing plates 65 welded to
the upper extremity of post 58. The exact location of said third
and fourth pivot rods, 35 and 33, respectively, is a matter of
critical importance. A dashed line denoted by numeral 66 is shown
in FIG. 1 to represent a radius of movement of said rear lifting
beam, said radius extending between said second and fourth pivot
rods 28 and 33, respectively. It has been found that, in order for
the apparatus of this invention to function properly, third pivot
rod 35 must be located below radius line 63 in the stored state of
the apparatus. An electrically driven hydraulic pump 37 may be
housed within base member 47. Hydraulic fluid conduits 38
communicate between pump 37 and cylinder 31.
In view of the specialized interaction of the aforesaid components,
extension of shaft 34 in a single direction achieves both: a) the
lowering of beam 15 from its storage state, as shown in FIG. 1
wherein said second extremity is upwardly directed, to a deployed
state, as shown in FIG. 3, wherein said second extremity is
rearwardly directed, and b) the lifting of the disabled vehicle, as
shown in FIG. 4.
The towing apparatus of this invention is attached by way of
kingpin 22 of said forward beam to the fifth wheel of the towing
vehicle. In the storage state of the apparatus, rear beam 15 is
disposed in an upright position, as shown in FIG. 1.
In use, the towing vehicle is backed up to the rear of the disabled
tractor vehicle. The hydraulic pump is activated to cause shaft 34
to emerge from cylinder 31, an action which lowers rear beam 15 to
a position where second kingpin 30 can engage the fifth wheel 41 of
disabled tractor vehicle 42. One or more chains 43 are then passed
beneath the frame 44 of the disabled vehicle and attached to rear
beam 15. Chain-engaging hook means 51 may be associated with beam
15 to adjustably hold the chain. The nature of such securement by
way of chain 43 is to cause beam 15 and fifth wheel 41 to be
parallel to frame 44, while beams 14 and 15 are in linear
alignment, as shown in FIG. 3. Emergent movement of shaft 34 is
then continued, causing upward movement of the distal extremity of
beam 14 and downward movement of the second extremity of beam 15.
Such movement causes the lifting of the rear of disabled vehicle
42. The lifting action is continued until the disabled vehicle is
in a towing mode with only its front wheels resting upon the ground
and the fifth wheel 11 of towing tractor 13 is level with respect
to frame 12 of said towing tractor. Lock pin 56 is then inserted,
causing rigid unification of said forward and rear beams, said
condition being illustrated in FIG. 4. When both vehicles are
interconnected by the towing apparatus in the aforesaid manner,
full jackknife turning ability is imparted to the coupled vehicles
because the fifth wheel of the towing vehicle is able to rotate in
its usual manner in a horizontal plane.
It should also be noted that the aforesaid coupling operation is
achievable with simplicity and in safe manner. When the towing
apparatus is not in use, it may be removed from the towing
vehicle.
While particular examples of the present invention have been shown
and described, it is apparent that changes and modifications may be
made therein without departing from the invention in its broadest
aspects. The aim of the appended claims, therefore is to cover all
such changes and modifications as fall within the true spirit and
scope of the invention.
* * * * *